NANJING, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Eleven workers were killed and six others injured by a falling elevator that was carrying them at a construction site in the eastern Chinese city of Wuxi, local work safety officials said on Thursday.

The elevator lost control at the 11th floor of a 32-storey residence building and plunged to the ground from a height of about 30 meters at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, killing six instantly and injuring 11 others, an official said.

The injured were rushed to hospital but five later died of serious injuries by early Thursday morning. The remaining six suffered bone fractures and were in stable condition.

An initial investigation suggested a fall protection system failure in the elevator had caused the accident.

Police have so far investigated 25 people and took some into custody, while the Wuxi Municipal Government has ordered an emergency work safety inspection at all construction sites in the city.

The construction site suspended work following the accident.